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Written by Administrator
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Friday, 11 June 2010 |
Sterilization Apology
June 11, 2010
By Counterpoint
A resolution to formally apologize for sterilization policies by the State of Vermont in the 1930's and 1940's, including to persons targeted as being mentally ill, was introduced this session but was not acted upon.
The resolution expressed regret for a law passed in 1931 "to prevent the procreation of idiots, imbeciles, feeble-minded or insane persons likely to procreate, can be improved by voluntary sterilization.
The law affected individuals who had been institutional, and "subjected to state-sponsored sterilization without their understanding of the procedure's implication or their fully informed consent or under coercion." For many, the agreement to sterilization came in exchange for release from public institutions such as the Vermont State Hospital and the Brandon Training School.
The House Human Services Committee took testimony on the resolution, but was unable to schedule time to complete its review.
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